As you can see in this week's report, the amount of flu-like illness in the state has been downgraded from "Widespread" to "Regional" activity. While this is certainly encouraging news, there's no way to tell if we'll see another wave of illness later this flu season. But with flu currently on the decline and more doses available every week, now is an excellent window of opportunity for all residents to get the vaccine as soon as it is available to you. In the meantime, please continue to practice good health hygiene. This includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or into your elbow instead of into your hand, and washing your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after you cough or sneeze

We encourage all residents to utilize the comments section on this blog to engage with us and each other. While we cannot respond to every comment or question directly, we find them very helpful to understand your questions and concerns and plan for future posts.

Recent Posts

Rates of flu-like illness in Massachusetts continued to decline over the past seven days, according to the latest weekly flu report. There is still time to get a flu shot for the remainder of the flu season, however. You can find one near you by calling your …Continue Reading Weekly Flu Report, March 16, 2018

The latest weekly flu report shows a drop in rates of flu-like illness over the past seven days in Massachusetts. Even so, flu continues to circulate in our communities so there is still plenty of reason to get a flu shot if you have not done …Continue Reading Weekly Flu Report, March 9, 2018

Recent Posts

Rates of flu-like illness in Massachusetts continued to decline over the past seven days, according to the latest weekly flu report. There is still time to get a flu shot for the remainder of the flu season, however. You can find one near you by calling your …Continue Reading Weekly Flu Report, March 16, 2018

The latest weekly flu report shows a drop in rates of flu-like illness over the past seven days in Massachusetts. Even so, flu continues to circulate in our communities so there is still plenty of reason to get a flu shot if you have not done …Continue Reading Weekly Flu Report, March 9, 2018

8 thoughts on “Weekly Flu Report: December 10, 2009”

I read in the local paper, The Berkshire Eagle that ANYONE that lives in New York State can now get a swine flu shot. Why can’t people in Pittsfield get one? My wife and I are 77 years of age, we know we have to wait our turn because of our age, but I guess New York State has reached that point Thanks for your help

My question echoes Mr. Almstead’s above. We’ve had no problem with needing to wait our turn, so that those most at risk can be vaccinated first. But according to Flu.gov, beginning today 12/14/09, H1N1 Vaccine is available to ALL residents of Ohio, Iowa, South Dakota, Mississippi and Illinois. When will Massachusetts make H1N1 available to ALL of its residents? Thank you.

The lack of availability of H1N1 vaccine in Massachusetts is appalling. Why don’t we have adequate supplies? Other states are giving them to everyone, regardless of age or complicating conditions. My own physician has not been given ANY! Why is Massachustts mishandling this situation?

For some reason even the towns are just getting maybe 100 doses of H1N1 vaccine and hardly anyone can get it. They are also posting town residents only so if you are not in the town that has the vaccine forget it. As far as EVERYONE being able to get the shot, if the zoned group can’t how can us “elderly” with chronic underlying conditions get it. It is true that other states have started to vaccinate ALL. Even Minute Clinic in Mass does not have any which surprises me. They started in Florida where most are elderly — something just doesn’t seem right.

Why is MA not on the map as far as getting the shots for all? Why are so many other states so far ahead of us? Will someone from MA please step up! With so many hot-shot over educated MD’s Harvard types and yet not a single one willing to step up to speak up!! Very sorry indeed.

Our town hasn’t even been able to vaccinate all the children nor have the pediatricians been able to give the young children the second dose they need. Many towns are now giving the vaccine to anyone wanting it but only if you can prove residency. I happen to be under 64 and fall into the group at risk due to a heart issues, yet my Board of Health has no idea if they can even get the children immunized in our town. My primary care has no vaccine either. Are there any answeres as to why the supplies are being distributed is so haphazardly?? Could we at least be able to protect the children? Is there any information available for the rest of those at risk? Thank You

I am a resident of Hanson, and frankly I am becoming angered at the lack of vaccine. The town clinic had vaccine available for ages 6ys plus. I have a three year old and an infant of 4months at home whose only protection is to have his family vaccinated. My daughter’s pediatrician in Hanson regularly expects shipments of vaccine, and they regularly do not receive them for no apparent reason. This morning I read that there is a surplus on Mass? Then why in God’s name can’t I find a way to get my young child vaccinated? Please, help? I have done my due dilligence, and will continue to, but I am getting no where and with an infant at home, I am desparate to get my daughter vaccinated. Thank you.

So H1N1 is on the decline. That’s good news. But opening up vaccinations to non-priority groups has me steamed. I read in last Sunday’s “Brockton Enterprise” and I just heard on the Channel 5 noon news that Boston has an excess of vaccines and will be opening them up to any and all Boston residents soon. I am in my 40’s and in the high-risk group and I can’t get a shot to save my life — literally and figuratively. Brockton is only vaccinating children, my doctor STILL doesn’t have any vaccine and all the towns around only offer vaccines to town residents. What am I supposed to do? I don’t want to die of H1N1 while thousands of vaccines elsewhere in the state aren’t being used because people aren’t interested. Last week in Boston, one clinic had 5,000 vaccines and only around 800 people showed up. Even here in Brockton, they’re not getting high numbers of children at those clinics. Where’s my shot?! I certainly don’t want to end up as a casualty of the H1N1 epidemic. According to what I’ve read and heard, most of the deaths have occurred in people under age 65, a reverse of regular flu seasons, and largely among people with underlying medical conditions. I’ve practically become a hermit to avoid exposure because if I do catch this thing with my other medical problems I will very likely become a statistic and not survive. Does this make me less important? Am I being penalized for living in Brockton? Why can’t I get a vaccination as hundreds of doses sit in boxes around Massachusetts seemingly because no one wants them?